Simon Ma, a veteran magician, demonstrates his professionalism by making full preparations before every show to surprise and entertain his audiences.
I am not a superstitious person but I think that some people were born to do what they were destined to do and that seems to be the case in my career path.
Shortly after I finished my junior school and under the influence of my father, who used to be a magician in a local circus troupe, I enrolled in a similar establishment and trained as an acrobat. Having done that for 14 years I switched to become a magician performing tricks I had picked up when I worked as an acrobat and, since then, I have been a professional magician for 25 years.
As a professional magician I don't work to a nine-to-five schedule and I don't get annual leave. Big holidays such as Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year, and statutory holidays such as the Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn Festivals are the busiest times for me and I have many performances to do.
Business is also generated by people who have visited my company website, through the Yellow Pages and referrals by friends. Production agencies are the most important sources to help me get jobs.
My jobs can range from small family functions for 50 people to corporate functions serving a few hundred guests.
When I receive a job order from a corporate client there are many things to prepare before the show.